Big Bear Eaglets Named Sandy and Luna After Community Vote, Honoring Late Leader Sandy Steers
Big Bear Lake’s eaglets hatched April 4–5 and were named Sandy (Chick 1) and Luna (Chick 2) after a community contest and third-grade classroom vote. The choice of Sandy honors late Friends of Big Bear Valley leader Sandy Steers.
- Chicks and names: Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets hatched April 4 and April 5 and were named Sandy (Chick 1) and Luna (Chick 2).
- Community process: Nearly 64,000 public submissions were narrowed to 30 names and decided by Big Bear Valley third-graders in a classroom vote.
- Tribute and access: The name Sandy honors longtime FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers; viewers can watch the 24/7 nest cam via FOBBV YouTube.
How the names were chosen
Friends of Big Bear Valley ran a public fundraiser to collect name ideas, drawing nearly 64,000 submissions from across the country. From that pool, FOBBV randomly selected 30 gender-neutral names to place on ballots for classroom voting.
Those ballots were distributed to third-grade students in Big Bear Valley as part of a hands-on project studying bald eagles. When students cast their votes, Sandy received 30 votes and Luna received 25. Runners-up were Star and Chip with 22 votes each, and Phoenix with 18.
The name Sandy was also a clear favorite in the public submissions: 3,706 of the 63,915 names submitted were Sandy, making it the most-popular public entry.
A tribute to Sandy Steers
FOBBV said the winning name honors Sandy Steers, the nonprofit’s longtime executive director who launched the nest cam in 2015 and died in February after a battle with cancer. FOBBV noted Steers would likely not have wanted the group to directly name an eaglet after her, but that she would have appreciated the students’ choice and the community gesture.
“The tribute resonated with many in the valley and beyond — the eagle cam became a local institution and a tool for education and tourism,” FOBBV said in its statement.
Telling the chicks apart: size, behavior and “bonking”
FOBBV staff and volunteers monitor the nest and report subtle differences observers can use to tell the siblings apart (sexes have not been determined):
- Sandy (Chick 1, hatched April 4): described as larger with a bigger head and neck and a slight curve to its gape; so far observed as the more submissive sibling.
- Luna (Chick 2, hatched April 5): appears smaller and has shown more aggressive behavior at times.
The pair have engaged in earlier “bonking” — pecking or bumping as they jostle for space and food — but observers report that some of that behavior has eased as the siblings bond. The chicks hatched at roughly 2 ounces each and are now approaching 3 pounds, illustrating rapid early development.
Education and community involvement
Using student votes follows a local tradition and highlights the eagle cam’s educational role. Last season’s eaglets were named Sunny and Gizmo from about 54,000 submissions. This year’s process expanded engagement by involving classrooms directly, giving children a hands-on lesson in biology, civic participation and nonprofit operations.
FOBBV used the public submissions as a fundraiser supporting the nest cam and local conservation. The project provided teachable moments about collecting community ideas, random selection for fairness, and how nonprofits raise funds and run programs.
Live viewing and public access
The Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam streams 24 hours a day on YouTube, hosted by Friends of Big Bear Valley at youtube.com/@FOBBVCAM. FOBBV posts updates and highlights for viewers who prefer short-form summaries.
Implications for the United States
The nest cam is more than livestreamed wildlife: it supports local tourism and education, raises conservation awareness, and showcases how community-led projects can have broader impact.
- Economic and tourism effects: The stream draws viewers who may visit the region, buy local services, or donate to conservation — a modest economic benefit for a rural area.
- Education and civic engagement: Classroom participation demonstrates how schools and nonprofits can collaborate on real-world civics and science lessons.
- Conservation awareness: The eaglets reinforce public interest in bald eagle recovery and continued habitat stewardship.
- Honoring leadership: Naming an eaglet Sandy links national interest in wildlife to a local story of leadership and service.
Next steps for observers and residents
FOBBV will continue to monitor the chicks and provide updates via the nest cam and the nonprofit’s channels. Sexes have not yet been determined, and behaviors will likely change as Sandy and Luna develop. Viewers are encouraged to follow the live stream and FOBBV’s educational materials to learn more.
Sources and further reading
- ABC7 — “Big Bear eaglets officially have names: Sandy, Luna”
- LAist — “Sandy and Luna named for Big Bear bald eaglets”
- Popular Science — “Jackie and Shadow chick names 2026: Sandy, Luna”
- FOBBV YouTube — live nest cam and announcement
- Victor Valley News Group coverage
